Author Archives: yotheresacampbell

The risk you need to take

Posted in Purpose by

goldfish jumping out of the water

A few weeks ago I was asked to share the last time I took a big risk. After thinking about it for a few minutes it hit me. But before sharing, I did the familiar tango with vulnerability: at first resisting his lead and then finally acquiescing so I could share.

I went on to divulge that the biggest risk I’ve taken this year, “is with all of this money I’m spending on my personal brand/self.” I explained how this year alone: the coaching I have received, travel I’ve done, my brand design plus web development, professional PR kit photos, and more rang to the tune of $12,000!

This totally freaked me out.

I’ve often battled with negative self-talk around my finances, not because I was raised poor but because my parents always invested in what mattered the most: our education, safe neighborhood etc. After which, there was rarely anything left for us to keep up with the Joneses; especially in the ritzy town we grew up in. So while we lived in a very nice community, I often heard the words, “we can’t afford it.”

This was a good thing, because it taught me to work to earn what I wanted. There were no free lunches.

After a few months of paying cash for everything this year, I got tired of feeling like my husband and I had to live paycheck to paycheck so we could fund our dreams (did I mention he’s starting his own business?) Anyway…I took a big risk, I opened an 18 months no interest credit card to create some breathing room. This breathing room was at first more like hyperventilating since this move went against everything Dave Ramsey’s been beating into my head since I’ve embarked on a mission to become debt free. However, something had shifted in me this year.

I heard the call to do this work. To turn pro. To do what I’ve been called to do in a way that serves people beyond what I can even fathom at this moment; and as a result I had to get comfortable with this risk. The risk of investing 100% in myself and in my vision for the future. (This will all unfold in July so keep an ear out for what I’m launching).

Last year my coach got under my skin by questioning if my fear of finances was really just a lack of faith.

It was.

And I vowed that whenever I started to feel afraid of my finances I would ask myself one question: how big is your faith?

So I share all this to say that the biggest risk you need to take, is the risk of investing in yourself. Take care of yourself so you can take care of others. Like a flight attendant, I’m reminding you to, “put your mask on first,” so that you can show up and serve others.

There’s something you’ve been called to do; that only you can do, and that something will involve an investment. A risk.

For me, it was financial, but for you it could be your time, your expertise your space. Whatever it is, take the risk. Invest in yourself and watch the magic unfold around you.

Now, I’d love to hear from you!

Leave a comment and let me know the last investment you made in yourself. 

Why you need to walk your own path now

Posted in How to Grow by

forrest

The path has always been clear. The road map to “success” passed down from generation to generation like a prized family heirloom. A promise of happiness and fulfillment if we take certain steps; with society depicting our ideals and us half the time not even knowing what’s truly real.

I have one question about that paved road to success…when you’ve come to the end of the road, whose definition of success will you have achieved?

Oftentimes that path to success is defined by someone else. Not you.

The path that makes the difference, will be a path you travel (alone). Yes there will be those who went before you, but trust me when I say their path is not yours. Your set of experiences are what make your path yours.

As you embark upon your journey, down a path of success as defined by you. You’ll gain a true knowledge of self. You’ll be forced to choose courage as you battle both internal and external demons; but most importantly, you’ll cultivate one of the most intimate spiritual relationships of your life.

Yes it will be dark. Yes you will be taking a walk of faith. And yes, there will be dragons, but when you return home you’ll know true success… and your story about what you learned and the person you’ve become as a result? That will be your legacy.

Your path awaits…are you ready to step?

Slow down & connect the dots

Posted in How to Grow by

When was the last time you carved out a block of time to just sit and think?

To slow down.

To reflect.

To connect the dots.

The dots are easier to spot when you slow down.

The answers to our biggest questions are often found in the silence.

But if we’re not honoring ourselves with that solitude to explore the answers deep within the confines of our sub and super conscious, then we travel aimlessly – potentially slightly off course.

We need to pivot.

Course correct.

Change directions, even if just ever so slightly to get back on track.

I spent a little over an hour today reflecting on what I set out to accomplish in 2013.

Flipping through my journal, I reviewed where I had allocated space and time back in December, to answering a series of questions about myself. One of which asked, “When do you feel the most powerful and alive?”

My response: When I’m teaching, writing or blogging.

I thought to myself…when was the last time I wrote and/or taught something?

Cue crickets chirping.

You see…this self-awareness thing has a way of slapping you in the face when you need it most.

My immediate thought to myself…WRITERS WRITE!

It had almost been 30 days since my last post and had been even longer since I had taught a group of people anything.

It’s true. I have been very busy. This whole launching a side-business while working full-time, being a devoted wife and mother (love my puppy dog) can be challenging. But I know about the importance and necessity to my soul with regards to being in flow with my work. With my art.

I can no longer deprive myself of that state of being.

The most beautiful part of this lesson learned, while slowing down and connecting the dots…was my ability to be nice to myself. Talk about having a growth mindset!

I knew that this revelation was not an open invitation for me to start beating myself up about how much time I wasted, or how distracted I had allowed myself to become, or how I if only I were just a bit more focused.

So what did I do?

I re-committed.

To write. Daily.

Why?

Because writers write.

It’s time

Posted in Purpose, Uncategorized by

You’re here for a reason, and we need you.

It’s time for you to step into your genius and show up as your best self doing the work that only you can do.

It’s time for you to fully own your power, and trust that you have everything that you need: right now, in this moment, to create the life that you want, doing the work that you love.

Yes. You have the power. You wouldn’t be the high achiever you are today if you didn’t.

It’s time for you to be, do, and have whatever you can dream.

Why?

Because deep down, you know that it’s possible.

You also know that in this game called life, it’s not simply about making a dollar; it’s about making a difference. And yes, while you have been wildly successful and have plans to be even more so in the future, there’s something greater pulling you. Telling you there’s more…

Because there is.

There’s a lot more.

And it starts with committing to living on purpose and leaving the world better than how you found it.

It’s about your legacy.

What do you stand for?

When you turn pro

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you raise your own standards and rise to the occasion

you start taking yourself more seriously

you don’t just believe that your work will make a difference, you know this to be true

you wake up each and every day doing what needs to be done regardless of if you feel like it or not

you can look at yourself in the mirror at the end of the day, knowing you left everything on the mat

you stand firm atop the foundation you have carefully and sometimes painfully set

you nurture the relationships that mean the most to you, in a way unlike ever before

when you turn pro you commit to living the life you used to fear you could not live

call it feeling the fear and doing it anyway or simply stepping into your calling…whatever it is, when you begin to turn pro, there’s a shift that happens, and you just know – kinda like when you meet the one…you just know. When you begin to turn pro…you not only just know, you just do it

Why clarity is key

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We often  have goals and dreams, but how often are we specific about that which it is that we want? I mean seriously, when you stop and think about your greater vision for your life. Are you specific? Could you describe to me your ideal day? What time would you wake up? Eat breakfast? Spend time with the Lord in prayer or mediation? Do you even pray or meditate? What would you do for work? Do you have a family? Where do you live? What type of house? How many bedrooms? A garden perhaps?

Clarity is key my friends. No matter what the goal or vision, getting crystal clear on what we want and then taking steps daily towards that greater vision is what this game of life is all about. Without clarity you wander. Without a compass (your values, virtues and strengths) guiding you in the direction of your dreams, you wander aimlessly.

We need a clear vision. We need to get clear on who we are. What do we value? What do we believe? Because only by getting clear can we press toward the goal with the confidence and faith to know all will be well.

How to be unfulfilled

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  1. Pretend to be someone you’re not just to keep up with the Joneses
  2. Spend your time doing work that does not utilize your strengths and talents
  3. Wait to be picked

It’s a new day and yes, the game has changed. You have everything you need, right now, in this moment to be successful and to live your calling. I would guess if you’re not walking down that path, you’re allowing someone else to chart your course, or you’re waiting to get picked.

Realizing you’re unfulfilled is the easy part, it’s the doing something about it that’s tough. But if you’re willing to do the work and the thought of continuing to be unfulfilled for the rest of your career motivates you then, press on my friend.

You can chart your own course. You just have to decide and then take baby steps each and every day to get there. And to help you get started, here’s a hint, it all starts with your mind. Control your thoughts, control your future; and if you have questions on how to get started send me a note.

It’s a practice

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I was recently asked, “Theresa…where does your strength come from?”

She went on to say, “…you work for a Fortune 500 company, have a “side hustle,” a blog, and I’ve seen you work through some things, and have a great marriage. How do you do it? I know it’s not easy so where do you get your strength from?”

I told her that I think people see strength, but don’t realize that’s the byproduct of a disciplined practice and perspective that life is a game. Think about it. An athlete gets stronger through practice. Actually doing the work to build the muscle and stamina as he prepares for the big game. Life is no different.

If you want to be great at something or become “strong,” you’ve got to practice. Do the work, lift the weights, read the books and control both your physical diet and the diet of your mind.

Success, strength, anything wonderful is often the result of a practice.

Remember, there’s no such thing as an over-night success.

When you think it doesn’t matter

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That’s often when it matters most.

When you think no one is watching…someone is.

When you think no one will notice…someone will.

When you think it doesn’t matter…it does.

Why?

Because you know. And that – that guilt is enough to destroy you.

The funny thing about help

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Somewhere along the way we’ve been conditioned to think that asking for help makes us weak. Admitting we can’t do something on our own is somehow an indication that we’re not good enough. But the reality is there is not a single successful person who made it to the pinnacle alone. They had to make their dreams and desires known to others and ask for help along the way.

If you think you can reach the pinnacle without getting a hand here and there to pull you up when you’re weak, or guide you towards the right path when you’ve wandered, then you’ve got a tough love lesson around the corner.

And if you’re scaling the mountain, and you look behind you and see someone struggling, and you don’t offer to give them a hand or even an encouraging word, then I’d be really really careful as you ascend.